Ice accumulations of one quarter of an inch can be expected in all locations, with accumulations possibly nearing one-half inch in the Houma-Thibodaux area, the Weather Service said in an advisory. Snow amounts of near to less than an inch are expected locally.

“A hard freeze is likely on Wednesday morning across the entire area, and wind chill values in the single digits are possible on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning,” the advisory says.

“Since temperatures will not rise above freezing for any significant period of time, hazardous driving conditions are likely to persist into Wednesday,” the Weather Service said.

Officials with Entergy, which serves much of Terrebonne and Lafourche, said the company was preparing for power outages in some parts of south Louisiana that could last three to five days.

Temperatures in Houma and Thibodaux had dropped to the mid-30s by this morning and will dip to 33 degrees by 5 p.m., forecasters said.

Freezing rain and sleet were expected tonight and early Wednesday morning, mainly before 1 a.m., the Weather Service said. The low will dip to 23 degrees overnight and 29 degrees Wednesday night. Local wind chill, or “real feel,” temperatures will drop as low as 11 degrees. Blustery winds of 15-20 mph will drop the wind chill to around 11 degrees. The high temperature Wednesday will reach 36 degrees, warming to 54 by Thursday afternoon.

Forecasters say there is a 90 percent chance of sleet and icy rain tonight, dropping to 50 percent Wednesday.

Terrebonne Parish Emergency Operations Director Earl Eues said workers were on standby with sand and other measures to keep the roads open as long as possible. Utility workers are also out ready and to respond to any outages.

“There isn't a lot we can do until we get that freezing precipitation,” Eues said.

Eues said forecasters expected freezing rain as early as 11 a.m. today, and road and bridge closures were likely to follow.

“As conditions worsen, we will begin closing roadways and access throughout the parish for the safety of the residences,” Eues said. “We are encouraging people to just stay home unless they absolutely have to leave.”

Lafourche officials decided Monday to close public schools today and Wednesday. Terrebonne officials decided Monday to close schools today. Officials announced about noon today that public schools in Terrebonne will be closed Wednesday.

Catholic schools throughout the Houma-Thibodaux Diocese decided Monday to close today and Wednesday.

“We remind everyone to take care of plants and pipes. We are in for a hard freeze tonight and tomorrow night,” Eues said. “Also we remind folks to check in on the elderly.”

<p>Schools are closed today and Wednesday in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes as a winter storm threatens to ice roads and cut power to many across south Louisiana.</p><p>Traffic was light on local roads as many residents apparently heeded local officials' warnings to stay home and out of danger.</p><p>The Houma-Thibodaux area and much of south Louisiana were under a winter storm warning through 6 a.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.</p><p>“A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice are expected or occurring,” the agency said.</p><p>Ice accumulations of one quarter of an inch can be expected in all locations, with accumulations possibly nearing one-half inch in the Houma-Thibodaux area, the Weather Service said in an advisory. Snow amounts of near to less than an inch are expected locally.</p><p>“A hard freeze is likely on Wednesday morning across the entire area, and wind chill values in the single digits are possible on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning,” the advisory says.</p><p>“Since temperatures will not rise above freezing for any significant period of time, hazardous driving conditions are likely to persist into Wednesday,” the Weather Service said. </p><p>Officials with Entergy, which serves much of Terrebonne and Lafourche, said the company was preparing for power outages in some parts of south Louisiana that could last three to five days.</p><p>Temperatures in Houma and Thibodaux had dropped to the mid-30s by this morning and will dip to 33 degrees by 5 p.m., forecasters said.</p><p>Freezing rain and sleet were expected tonight and early Wednesday morning, mainly before 1 a.m., the Weather Service said. The low will dip to 23 degrees overnight and 29 degrees Wednesday night. Local wind chill, or “real feel,” temperatures will drop as low as 11 degrees. Blustery winds of 15-20 mph will drop the wind chill to around 11 degrees. The high temperature Wednesday will reach 36 degrees, warming to 54 by Thursday afternoon.</p><p>Forecasters say there is a 90 percent chance of sleet and icy rain tonight, dropping to 50 percent Wednesday.</p><p>Terrebonne Parish Emergency Operations Director Earl Eues said workers were on standby with sand and other measures to keep the roads open as long as possible. Utility workers are also out ready and to respond to any outages. </p><p>“There isn't a lot we can do until we get that freezing precipitation,” Eues said. </p><p>Eues said forecasters expected freezing rain as early as 11 a.m. today, and road and bridge closures were likely to follow. </p><p>“As conditions worsen, we will begin closing roadways and access throughout the parish for the safety of the residences,” Eues said. “We are encouraging people to just stay home unless they absolutely have to leave.”</p><p>Lafourche officials decided Monday to close public schools today and Wednesday. Terrebonne officials decided Monday to close schools today. Officials announced about noon today that public schools in Terrebonne will be closed Wednesday.</p><p>Catholic schools throughout the Houma-Thibodaux Diocese decided Monday to close today and Wednesday.</p><p>“We remind everyone to take care of plants and pipes. We are in for a hard freeze tonight and tomorrow night,” Eues said. “Also we remind folks to check in on the elderly.”</p>